FDNY firefighter involved in bar brawl that left man dead will claim he was acting in self defense when he delivered the potentially fatal blow to his face
- Justin Deieso of Whitestone, New York, was charged with misdemeanor assault after punching a man outside a Queens bar on Saturday
- The 35-year-old firefighter is accused violently striking Devin Deegan, 55, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement
- Deegan, an electrician, was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead
- Deieso could potentially face more serious charges depending on Deegan’s cause of death
- His lawyer Robert Gallo says the firefighter plans to claim self-defense
David Deegan (pictured) 55, died Saturday after he was involved in a bar fight with Justin Deieso, 35, a New York City firefighter
A New York City firefighter involved in a deadly bar brawl in Queens will claim he was acting in self defense when he delivered a potentially-fatal blow to another man’s face, his lawyer said.
Justin Deieso, 35, of Whitestone, New York, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault in connection to 55-year-old Devin Deegan’s death on Saturday.
Police say the two men got into an argument outside of Terrace Inn Bar & Grill around 4am, when the quarrel took a violent turn.
Deieso is said to have punched Deegan in the face, causing him to fall onto the sidewalk and strike his head.
He was taken to the local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said first responders arrived at Terrace Inn Bar & Grill around 4am to find Deegan, an electrician, lying on the ground with trauma to the back of his head
Deieso was released without bail on misdemeanor assault charges Saturday, however, those offenses could potentially be upgraded, depending on Deegan’s cause of death, The New York Post reported.
But Deieso’s lawyer, Robert Gallo, told the paper the FDNY firefighter plans to maintain his innocence as the case is one of ‘self-defense’.
‘He will appear in court as required, he’s maintaining his innocence, and the case is presently expected to stay a misdemeanor offense,’ Gallo said Saturday.
Police said first responders arrived at the scene to find Deegan, an electrician, lying on the ground with trauma to the back of his head. Deegan was unmarried and did not have any children.
The investigation remains ongoing and a medical examiner will determine his cause of death.
Deieso, who has been a firefighter for seven years, works at Ladder 122 in Brooklyn, according to ABC7.
He has been suspended without pay for up to 28 days.
Deieso’s lawyer, Robert Gallo said the FDNY firefighter plans to maintain his innocence as the case is one of ‘self-defense’
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